Here's something that's bothered me ever since I moved here years ago: what's up with the westbound side Buckman Bridge? It has thick, single white lines between the lanes as you travel further west, presumably to discourage people from changing lanes before the Park Street exit. However, it has signs above that say "Unlawful to Cross Double White Lines." What gives? I've driven a lot of places, and seen plenty of double white lines that I know not to cross--these aren't them. I cross them when I cross them when it is unduly burdensome for me to stay in the lane.
The truth is, I always get the feeling that one day I'm going to be pulled over for doing so, and I'm going to be sitting there arguing with the sheriff telling him that I did nothing wrong. Am I crazy (I did learn to drive in New York), or are the signage and road markings incorrect?
Shown on Google Maps here: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=32207&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.534108,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Jacksonville,+Florida+32207&ll=30.191065,-81.683827&spn=0,0.004823&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=30.191045,-81.683459&panoid=P8zeO-BRJ7JXhmOHmJ2Srw&cbp=12,276.75,,0,4.7 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=32207&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.534108,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Jacksonville,+Florida+32207&ll=30.191065,-81.683827&spn=0,0.004823&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=30.191045,-81.683459&panoid=P8zeO-BRJ7JXhmOHmJ2Srw&cbp=12,276.75,,0,4.7)
For a case like the Buckman, a single solid line means to pass only to avoid a hazard, and double lines obviously mean it is prohibited. Never took note of a sign before...did we used to have double-whites?
about 1/8 mile from the end of the bridge, the far right line doubles up - therefore making it illegal to cross over. Before they made the changes to the Roosevelt and Blanding exits, you would be backed up from the end of the bridge to the 95 exit and back on 95 almost to philips - it was a nightmare.
Right, the double white lines were intended to deter people from cutting into the line when traffic was backed up for a mile or more. I got a ticket once for doing that... (i know patience) Once the exit ramps were reworked, the double white lines were shortened and not nearly as necessary.